UK military personnel will improve their digital and cyber skills
through a new esports collaboration, which will include a focus
on AI and drone operation.
The Ministry of Defence has appointed the British Esports
Federation to deliver a new first-of-its-kind defence and
industry esports tournament through UK Strategic Command, soon to
be Cyber and Specialist Operations Command.
Improving the digital skills of military personnel will help
boost the country's warfighting readiness, with the UK at the
cutting edge of defence AI and technology, supporting the
government's Plan for Change. Lessons from Ukraine, including
Ukrainian's producing their own drone simulator games to improve
hand-eye coordination, have shown how esports can be used to
successfully train drone operators and cyber security
specialists.
Through the Strategic Defence Review, defence is enhancing its
warfighting capability by developing critical cyber skills, and
Esports can provide an accessible environment to improve digital
literacy and cyber understanding.
The International Defence Esports Games (IDEG) will help members
of the Armed Forces develop cyber, digital and wider military
skills. Initially open to service personnel, including
reservists, IDEG will expand to eventually include cadets,
veterans, civil servants and anyone working in the defence
industry.
Minister for Veterans and People, DSO OBE MC MP, said: [CLEARED]
Esports will help attract, develop, and retain top cyber and
digital talent, while fostering this government's Plan for
Change. Our people must now be as adept with code, cybersecurity
and a games controller as they are with traditional combat
skills.
From drone operations to data analysis, modern defence and
deterrence needs agile minds that can navigate both physical and
digital battlegrounds.
The International Defence Esports Games is an exciting initiative
that will help foster exactly these skills in a fun,
collaborative way, and overcome many traditional boundaries
between our international partners.
The inaugural IDEG finals – where competitions would be held -
will be organised in partnership with British Esports and a
leading esports production company, and be held in the UK in late
2026.
The event is being supported by Defence suppliers, including BAE
Systems, as well as several smaller military technology
companies.
Chester King, President, British Esports
said:
Military esports has been steadily growing in recent years, and
today we're delighted to announce a first-of-its-kind tournament
for military personnel around the world.
The UK's armed forces have recognised video games as a positive
activity that can improve personnel welfare and morale, foster
digital and cyber skills, and strengthen relations across the
armed forces and beyond.
We're happy to announce the International Defence Esports Games
and support the future of the military.
Recently the Royal Navy partnered with British Esports to launch
an esports facility aboard UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of
Wales, featuring gaming gear from the likes of Alienware, NVIDIA
and Intel. Those in attendance included members of the Singapore
Armed Forces, Singapore Esports Association (SGEA), the national
body British Esports, and Deputy Commander UK Strategic Command,
Lt Gen Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, who has been championing esports
across UK Defence.
Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE, Deputy
Commander UK Strategic Command said:
Esports and serious games can contribute to our warfighting
readiness. As competition and conflict increasingly play out in
cyberspace and the digital arena, these games equip our people to
think, operate and innovate across both the physical and virtual
worlds, developing team coordination and rapid decision-making
under pressure.
We've learned from our Ukrainian partners about how esports can
train drone operators and cyber security specialists. People are
quickly grasping how esports can change perspectives and enhance
skills, as well as reaching across borders with our international
allies and partners.
For centuries we've used ball games like rugby and football to
develop teamwork, hone mental and physical fitness and build
resilience. Esports perfectly complement these games in preparing
us for 21st Century security challenges.
To address additional needs for cyber security specialists in
Defence, the Ministry of Defence announced the Cyber Direct Entry
Scheme, a bespoke entry route for aspiring cyber professionals
and those with existing digital skills, which will see new
recruit basic training reduced from 10 weeks to around one month,
after which recruits will undergo 3 months' specialist training
in the field.
The news comes just over a year after the MOD recognised esports
as an official military sport, ensuring funding and opportunities
for personnel to compete. Today's announcement also represents a
deepening relationship between British Esports and the
MOD.
